In his past five games in cold weather, Manning averaged a quarterback rating of 102.7. That would be a season-high for Chiefs quarterback Alex Smith.

“If you look at the games since 2006, he (Manning) has almost always played well (in cold weather),” said Scott Kacsmar, a Football Outsiders expert who has researched Manning’s cold-weather history. …

“There’s no statistical proof he cannot play well in such weather,” Kacsmar said. “What is available would suggest the complete opposite.”

Manning’s stats in cold weather are skewed by the fact that he spent most of his career with the Colts, who played in a dome and were therefore away for every game played in temperatures of 30 or below. And sports teams — when evaluated over an extended period — struggle on the road.

Besides, that sample size, for a QB who has played so long, is too small to give as much weight as we have been.

Manning might have more trouble in cold, windy conditions, but all QBs do. And Manning has dealt with those Mother-Nature related obstacles.

Perhaps what he and the Broncos have not dealt with so well is this story. It’s odd to see a team and player this bothered.

Never seen a total organizational effort from play-calling to PR to change narrative like Broncos & Peyton/cold weather